Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

As a kid looking for something to pique my literary hunger beyond the outgrown Judy Blume and Babysitters Club series, I crept into my parents' library late one night and stumbled on a book about a pyrokinetic young girl on the run with her father. I snuck it back to my room under my shirt and spent the next few nights devouring it under my blankets with a flashlight. I quickly moved on to The Shining, Carrie, Cujo, and It. And so began my literary love affair with Stephen King at 11 years old. Over the years, I've loved some books more than others, but the Dark Tower series were really what convinced me that he could do no wrong. But after his accident had taken its toll and a string of books read somewhat uninspired and formulaic, I figured his best work was behind him. I was a little sad, of course, but grateful for all the entertainment and inspiration I found through his previous books. Besides, everyone has to lose their mojo eventually, right? Oh, so very, very wrong. I knew it three chapters into 11/22/63. And now, the thrill ride that is Joyland proves it beyond a shadow of a doubt: Stephen King's mojo is back, full force. It's like Jerry Garcia in a bag, man. Except in a book. And speaking of BOOKS... I drove to the store late last night and stayed up through the wee hours of the morning reading Joyland under my blankets, this time with a slightly more advanced book light. To those complaining about the fact that King didn't release it on e-book, quit your whining. Reading an actual book (not a screen) is FUN. As an adult now with kids of my own who love to read, ebook are strictly for school or literary emergencies (only real book lovers know what I mean) in our house. Holding a book in your hand, cracking the spine, creasing the corners, getting water wrinkles on the pages from falling asleep with it on your chest while you float around the pool... It's all part of the charm. If you have to have it explained, you wouldn't understand anyway. Joyland is a scary, seductive, and fun thriller; a classic Stephen King read and a perfect addition to your summer reading list. If you want a synopsis, read the book description above. But if you have any doubt in Stephen King's mojo, just trust me and give it a try. Because, let's be honest, Stephen King at his worst is still infinitely better than that Twilight joke. But this is far from his worst, so even if you liked that sparkly vampire crap, you're still ahead of the game. [Edited To Add] Many people have commented in defense of ebooks, and I have to add that my opinion on ebooks was staged much more harshly than necessary due to feeling the need to pick sides in the book wars (so to speak). As I mention in the comments, after seeing what the Internet and digital files have done to record/music stores and video stores, it breaks my heart to think of a world without bookstores. But that doesn't mean that ebooks don't have their righhtful place; they do. And to those with eyesight issues who have mentioned the ability to read more because of the technology, thank you for offering another perspective I hadn't considered. I do support print, but supporting print doesn't have to mandate condemning technology, either. Anyway, enjoy the book. See you all again for Doctor Sleep.